Mancini wants signings to make history

Roberto Mancini will challenge any summer transfer target to make history at Manchester City.

Mancini must strengthen his squad this summer without the carrot of Champions League football to lure players to Eastlands. Mancini must therefore think of an alternative attraction, but the Italian thinks it is fairly easy.

"I always preferred to win with a club that hasn't won for many years," he said.

"When you choose a club where you are trying to change the history, it is good for a player and manager. I stayed at Sampdoria for 15 years because I loved the club. They had never won and I wanted to win with them.

"Then I went to Lazio. They had not won anything for 20 years. It was the same with Inter. At Fiorentina I won the Coppa Italia. I always believe something can happen in football."

Although it would appear to be a matter of time before City become a major force, it has been suggested that failing to claim a Champions League berth will delay a tilt for the title by 12 months.

The argument goes that the leap to become champions from outside the top four is too great to make in one go, even for a club with City's resources.

Mancini is not so sure and cites an example from his own country as evidence.

"When you are building a team it is difficult to win something in the first year," he added.

"But in Italy many years ago, Verona were a new team and won the title in the first year. For this reason I know it could happen. I always work towards winning every game in every competition and we will try."